Thrashing-machine



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' 4 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. H. MELIOK. THRASHING MACHINE N0. 125;444. Patented Apr. '15, 1890.

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' J. H. MELIUK.

TERASHING MACHINE; N0. 425,44.4. Patented Apr. 175-, 1890.

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No. 425,444. Patented Apr. 15, 1890.

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THRASHING MACHINE. v No. 425,444., Patented Apr. 15, 1890.

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JAMES H. MELIOK, OF ALBANY, NEIV YORK.

THRASHING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 425,444, dated April 15, 1890.

Application filed August 27, 1886. Renewed March 18, 1890- Serial No. 344,422. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern;

Be it known that I, JAMES H. MELICK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Albany, in the county of Albany and State of'New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thrashing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in the class of thrashing-niacinnes illustrated and described in Letters Patent No. 261,167, granted to me July 18, 1882; and it consists of the combinations of parts hereinafter particularly described, and specifically set forth in the claims.

The objects of my invention are, first, to provide in a thrashing-machine, and in combination with the main frame and a thrashing cylinder and its concave fixed within said frame, a detachable frame containing a thrashing-cylinder and a coacting concave and a drivin g-wheel which can be made to operate either of said thrashing-cylinders Without operating the other; secondly, to provide several specific combinations of devices, by means of which new and advantageous results can be obtained in a thrashing-machine, which employs with a main frame, containing a thrashing-cylinder and coact-ing concave straw-conveyer, a detachable frame containing a second tlirashing-cylinder and coacting concave. I attain these objects by the combinations of devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this speci- In the drawings, A A represent the main frame of the machine, which contains and holds the operating parts.

B B is a folding or detachable frame, jointed to the forward upper portion of the main frame A A by means of suitable hinges o. a, connecting the rear side portion of this folding frame with the upper side of the main frame, so that the former can be turned up from position the latter.

shown by full lines in Fig. 2 to that shown by dotted lines in the same figure and the reverse. Binding-bolts b, or equivalent hooks or clips, (not shown,) are employed to hold this folding or detachable frame securely joined with the main frame when the cylinder in the former is being operated. By loosening these bolts or their equivalent devices this frame B B can be turned up andback on its hinges aa at pleasure and be folded top side down on the deck of the main frame A A. This folding or detachable frame is made to contain one of the two thrashing-cylinders and its concave and ,the feed-tableof the cylinder and other adjuncts.

- O is a spike-cylinder, sometimes called the short-straw cylinder, which is mounted on a shaft supported in suitable hearings on frame B B, and O is a suitable spike-cylinder concave, which is supported in this folding or detachable frame beneath spike-cylinder C; This concave is provided with any suitable ad j ustin g device by which it can be set nearer to or away from the cylinder, as may be preferred.

D is a feed-table suitably arranged and con nected with the detachable or folding frame B B and in front of cylinder C, so that the operator can conveniently feed the grain to This feed-table is preferably detachable from frame B.

E is a rubbing-cylinder, sometimes called a long straw cylinder, which is mounted on a shaft, which is supported in suitable bearings attached to the main frame. This cylinder is relatively below cylinder O, and also rearward of the same, as shown, and is provided with a rubbing-concave E, which is suitably supported at its ends from the sides of the main frame.

In my patent referred to the upper cylinderis situated rearward of the lower cylinder, and the straw and grain are delivered from the former to the separator at a point relatively at a considerable distance rearward of the forward end of the sieve-shoe, so that the blast from the fan through the sieveshoe will not in all cases act as effectively as do sirable, especially when operating with grain in which the straw is heavy and well loaded. In my present improvement the upper cylinder is relatively forward of the lower cylinder, so that the thrashed straw and grain will be delivered in a direction over the lower cyl- 'inder and in front of the same, and on thev front end of the separator and relatively over the forward end of the sieve-shoe, so that the blast from .the fan, passing through the sieveshoe, will act effectively with all kinds and conditions of straw and grain.

In my former patent the rubbing-cylinder is arranged relatively above the spike-cylinder, and also relatively at a considerable distance above the plane of the separating and conveying mechanism, so that the long straw is delivered from the rubbing-cylinder at an altitude above the straw-conveying mechanism, which necessitates a considerable distance of fall of the straw before lodging on the eonveyer and separator, so that in some cases the heavier ends of the straw would reach the conveyer before the lighter ends, and thereby cause an uneven lay of the straw. In my present improvements the rubbingeylinder is in situation below the spike-cylinder and on such a plane that its concave E is but a short distance above the plane of the forward or receiving end of the separator and conveyer, so that when the straw is moved in its delivery from the cylinder horizontally rearward it will at once be delivered on the conveying and separating mechanism without falling to any greatdistance, and thereby cause the straw to be .uniformly about at right angles to the line of direction of rearward movement of the straw when it drops on the conveying mechanism.

In my former patent referred to the spike or short-straw cylinder is situated relatively rearward and above the rubbing-cylinder and at such a distance forward of the conveying mechanism as to necessitate the use of a grain-board between said cylinder and the conveyer, while at the same time the concave is shown to be in situation above its cylinder,

. ble force on this'grain-board, to be moved therefrom by the blast incidental with the rapid revolution of the cylinder. In my present invention the spike-cylinder is relatively above and rearward of the rubbing-cylinder, with its concave 0 arranged at its lower side, so that the centrifugal force of the revolving cylinder, together with the blast therefrom, will toss the straw and grain slightly upward and rearwardly over the rubbing-cylinder to fall clear of the same on the moving conveying and separating mechanism for being immediately operated in the most effective manner.

.F is a fan-blower situated below the two thrashing-cylinders, and revolved by any suitable bands and pulleys in the manner generally practiced. In the discharge end of this blower are arranged a series of air-valves e, which can be variously set for regulating the air-currents passing into and through th sieve-shoes. Y

G and G are vibrating shoes, the lower one G containing the sieves suitably arranged in relation to each other and at angles suitable for effecting good operations with the grain to be cleaned. The upper shoe feeds into the lower shoe in the usual manner. These shoes are arranged one above the other, and are supported, so as to be alternately shaken in opposite directions, by levers e and hangers e, (substantially asshown and described in Letters Patent No. 277,565, grantedto me May 15, 1883.) This shaking motion can be communicated to these shoes through suitable revolving eccentrics or cranks operating the pitman cl, pivoted with theupper shoe G,

when motion will be communicated from this upper shoe through the levers and hangers e c to the lower shoe G. a

H- is a reciprocating inclined grain-board, which is suspended within the sides of the machine and rearward of the thrashing-cylinders by suitable hangers ff. The lower and front end'of this grain-board is so arranged over the upper shoe G" as to dischargeinto the same at all times while said shoe and grain-' board are being reversely vibrated.

In my patent referred to, No. 261,167, the

grain-board is operated by a pitman and eccentric independently of the shoe beneath,

which latter is shown to be operated by another pitman and eccentric. In my present invention I dispense with the use of two pitmen and eccentrics and their necessary adj uncts for giving to them motion for operating the grain-board and shoe reversely and simultaneously, and e'mploy'but one set of eccentrics and pitmen, as already described as giving motion to shoe G, and by the vibrating movement of said shoe, operating through suitable mechanism provided, the said grainboard will be operated simultaneously with.

said shoe, but in reverse directions. In this invention the mechanism employed consists of the arms g g, fixed to the sides of shoe G and projected rearward of the same, and pivoted levers h, connected each at one end with arms g by connecting-bars I an d their opposite ends with the grain-board H by connecting bar or pitmanj. With these devices between the upper shoe G and grain-board H the movements of the latter will be communicated to the former, but in reversed diree IIO tions, and at the same time the motion from I this upper shoeis communicated to the loweroperations ofv the wind-currents and the agita-.

tion of the said shoes and grain-board.

K K are a series of agitating-conveyers aruse as a feed-tableto that cylinder.

plex crank-shaft L, in which each crank it is set opposite to its neighboring ones, and their rear ends are supported clear of the floor of the grain-board II, and are provided with -mechanism by which said' rear ends will be alternately raised and depressed as these conveyers are vibrated eudwise in alternate directions, and in such a manner that their rear ends will be depressed when their front ends are raised, and the reversals be simultaneously effected. These agitating-conveyers are not the invention of myself. Vhen the crankshaft L is revolved, every other one of these agitating-conveyers will be moved endwise forwardly at the same time their front ends are being thrown downwardly, while the others in the series will be moved endwise rearwardly, with their front ends at the same time being thrown upwardly, and with this manner of movement of the two series of agitating-conveyers and the wind-currents passing upwardlyand along the upper side of the bottom of the grain'boa-rd H the straw thrown rearwardly from the cylinders (as either is used) on these conveyers will be made to travel progressively rearward to a final discharge at the end of the machine, and in this passage of the straw the grain will be shaken out of the thrashed straw by the repeated and rapid al ternate tossing and falling of the straw, while the straw will be held from sliding forward by the detent-pegs m m of one series of conveyers holding with the straw while those of the other series are being lowered and drawn away from the same.

M is a platform suitably supported from the frame of the machine and relatively in front of the lower thrashing-cylinder and past its ends, and on a plane so as to adapt it for In Fig. 1 this platform is shown by full and dotted lines to be below feed-table D and to extend across from side to side of the machine. It is also shown iuthe same figureto be held in situation for use as a feed-table by means of the hasps m 091, secured to the rearward portion of said platform and engaging with staples fastened in the adjoining cross-bar a, and secured by a cross-pimp; yet it is evident this platform can be held from being moved away from this lower thrashing-cylinder by means of suitable hooks and eyes, or by bolts or otherwell-known holding devices, which will retain it in place, so as to admit it to be used as a feedtable to the said lower cylinder. This platform M can .be extended forward and away from the lowerthrashingcylinder, so as to be in situation in relation to the feed-table D of the upper thrashingcylinder C, that it can serve as afloor on which the operator can stand when feeding grain to said upper cylinder. This extension or withdrawal of the said platform M can be effected by disconnecting it from cross-bar a by disengaging their fastenings m a and moving the platform forward to dotted lines M in Fig. 1.

N is a second platform, situated below the plane of platform M, for use of the operator as a standing-floor when platform M is being used as a feed-table to the lower cylinder E. This platform N is shown in Fig. l to have a jointed connection with the frameof the machine and held in position by chain a witha side rail of said platform and a suitablehook secured to a stationary part of the frame of the machine. By means of this jointed connection 0f platforinN with the frame of the machine the former can be folded upwardly when not in use or when the machine is being transported or stored.

P is a grain-board arranged below lower cylinder, concave E and between the same and the front end of the upper shoe G, so as to conduct the grain falling from the lower concave (or upper concave) into said shoe.

Any suitable system of band-wheels, pulleys, and belts canbe employed to give motion and speed to the respective moving parts; yet I prefer to drive the diiferent parts from driving-wheel Q, substantially as illustrated by full and dotted lines in Figs. 1,2, and 3. In this system illustrated the drivingwheel Q gives motion to the upper cylinder G through band q and pulley R, and also gives motion to lower cylinder E through band 0' and pulley S. pulley T and band ifrom pulley U, while the multiplex crank L is revolved by band-wheel V, band a, and pulley XV. The eccentrics c, operating-pitmen d, which give motion to shoe G, are revolved by driving-wheel Q, though it can be revolved by a pulley secured to the eccentric shaft and actuated byadriving pulley or wheel secured to any other suitable shaft. lVhen upper cylinder C is used,

its pulley R will be connected with drivewheel Q, while pulley S of the lower cylinderE will be disconnected from said drive-wheel; but when the lower cylinder is used its pulley S will be connected with drive-wheel Q, while the pulley of cylinder G will be disconnected. \Vhen either of said two cylinders is used, the other revolving parts of the machine will each be driven through their respective pulleys and bands.

lVhen wheat, oats, barley, or other shortstraw grain is to be thrashed, proper-sieves will be suitably arranged within shoe G, and pulley 'R of upper cylinder 0 will be connected with drive-wheel Q by bands q, while lower cylinder E will be allowed to be idle. The'operator, standing on platform M, will feed the grain from platform D to between cylinder 0 and its concave 0, when the cylinder, revolving in proper direction, will The fan is driven by IOQ thrash the grain and throw its parts rearwardly over the lower cylinder E to such a distance as to deliver it clear of the cylinder on the front and lower end of the separator and conveyer K, when this mechanism will in its operations knock out from the straw the loosened grain and carry the straw rearward to be discharged over the rear end of the machine, while the grain will fall down on the respective grain-boards O and P and reciprocating grain-board H and be delivered from them into the shoes G G to be properly winnowed. In the time these different operations are being had the blast from the fan will be operating on the grain passing through the shoes and their sieves, and a port-ion of this blast will with some degree of force rise upward through the separating and conveying mechanism K and prevent the strawfrom lying heavy or dead on the same.

When rye or long-straw grain is to be thrashed, band (1 will be thrown off pulley R of cylinder 0, and band T will be made to connect the driving-wheel Q with pulley S of cylinder E, and binding device I) will be loosened and the detachable or folding frame B, containing cylinder 0 and concave C, will be turned up and back on the deck of the rearward portion of the machine, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. Before folding frame B up and on the deck of the machine the platform D can be-constructed and secured to said frame so as to be removable from it, if preferred. Should the machine be in a situation which will not admit of the turning up and back of the said frame, the pins or pivot-bolts of the hinges (L can be readily removed, when the said frame and cylinder and its adjuncts can be readily detached and moved to any convenient place. The operator will stand on platform N and feed the grain from platform M to between cylinder E and its concave E, when the thrashed straw will be carprovide in the same machine two independently-operating thrashing-cylinders, one of which will operate as a long-straw or rubbing cylinder to thrash and deliver the straw directly 011 or to the separating-conveyer to be cleaned and delivered free from grain in condition to he bunched or formed into bundles, while the other cylinder will be a short-straw suitable bearings from folding frame B, while the end sections or portions can be supported in suitable bearings from frame A, and be connected with the main or middle section of the shaft by suitable sleeves or by universal joints, as may be preferred.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. In a th rashing-machine, the combination,

with the main frame and a thrashing-cylinder E and its coacting concave E, permanently arranged'within said frame, of the detachable frame B B above the plane of the cylinder in the main frame, a thrashing-cylinder O and its coacting concave C, contained Within said detachable frame, and 'a' driving-wheel operating at will either of said cylinders without operating the other, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a thrashing-machine, the combination, with the main frame, a thrashing-cylinder E and its coacting concave E, and a winnowing mechanism, all permanently arranged with said main frame, of the detachable frame B B above the plane of the cylinder in the main frame and a thrashing-cylinder R and its coacting concave R in said frame, a driving-wheel which can operate at the will of an attendant either of said cylinders without operating the other, and the grain-boards O and P, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a thrashing-machine, the combination, with the extensible feed-table M, leading to a thrashing-cylinder permanently secured Within the main frame, of the detachable frame B B, thrashing-cylinder C and its concave, feed-table D, leading to the cylinder in said detachable frame, and grain-boards O and P, communicating with the Winnowing mechanism, substantially as and for the purposes-set forth.

JAMES H. MELICK.

Witnesses:

ALEX. SELKIRK, ARTHUR M. BUGDEN. 

